NEWARK, N.J. – A Texas woman is headed to prison for her role in a counterfeit coupon conspiracy that resulted in more than $17 million in losses at stores in New Jersey and across the country.
49-year-old Janet Bernal of San Antonio was arrested in August 2024 and later pleaded guilty in Newark federal court to conspiracy to commit wire fraud. On Wednesday, she was sentenced to 15 months behind bars.
How the Counterfeit Coupon Scheme Worked
According to federal authorities, from June 2020 through August 2024, Bernal orchestrated a scheme to produce and sell counterfeit coupons for use by purchasers at retail stores throughout the United States, including large pharmacies and grocery stores.
Millions of Dollars in Losses
Over the span of the scheme, members downloaded thousands of counterfeit coupons and redeemed them at stores throughout the Garden State and beyond. In total, the loss to the stores and to the manufacturers whose products were purchased with the counterfeit coupons was in excess of $17 million.
Bernal Sentenced in Federal Court
In addition to the prison term, Bernal was also sentenced to two years of supervised release. She was ordered to forfeit $67,290.68 and pay $17,865,614.70 in restitution…